Sunday, April 5, 2009
Seek and Call
(Isaiah 55)
Even in our video-crazed age, children occasionally play the old fashioned game of “hide and seek.” The object, of course, is to find the one who is hiding and to expose his whereabouts to the other seekers. “Hide and seek” is simple, innocent fun that, strange as it may seem, has a spiritual application.
The prophet Isaiah had warned God’s people of their ongoing rebellion against Him. Judgment, Isaiah predicted, would be the result of continued transgression. There was, however, a possibility of escaping God’s judgment. There was a window of opportunity for God’s people to repent. Had they taken advantage of God’s invitation to revival, His judging had would have been stayed and the nation would have been saved.
Isaiah admonished wayward Israel, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon Him while he is near.” Just as in “hide and seek” God offers a window of opportunity to find Him afresh and anew. God, who was hidden from His people due to their sin, desired to be found of them through heartfelt repentance and renewed obedience. Indeed, all God expected was that His people seek Him, calling on His forgiveness and mercy (6).
Sadly, Israel failed to heed the prophet’s admonition—failed to seek Him while He could still be found. Genuine revival, then, involves seeking God in a timely manner—while the opportunity still exists. Christian, don’t delay in seeking His face in revival. Those who seek will be found of Him (II Peter 3:14).
